AMAZON #1 

BEST SELLER 

IN PAIN MEDICINE

RESEARCH STUDIES 

1. Medical Cannabis for Chronic Non-Cancer Pain

This category includes systematic reviews and meta-analyses demonstrating moderate to high certainty evidence for small improvements in pain relief with medical cannabis or cannabinoids.

• A 2021 Cochrane review found moderate to high certainty evidence that non-inhaled medical cannabis or cannabinoids provide a small to very small improvement in pain relief for chronic non-cancer pain. URL: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD012182.pub2/full

• A 2018 systematic review suggested cannabis-based medicines might be effective for chronic pain, particularly neuropathic pain, based on limited evidence. URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29419624/

• A 2024 meta-analysis indicated medical cannabis may be as effective as opioids for chronic non-cancer pain with fewer discontinuations. URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10807623/

• A 2022 systematic review of long-term studies showed cannabis-based medicines improve pain and quality of life in chronic non-cancer pain with good tolerability. URL: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.801270/full

• A 2020 meta-analysis reported cannabinoids significantly reduce pain in chronic non-cancer pain, with the greatest effect between 2-8 weeks of treatment. URL: https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m2980

2. Cannabinoids for Neuropathic Pain

Focusing on high-quality evidence from meta-analyses showing efficacy in neuropathic conditions, often with moderate certainty.

• A 2015 JAMA meta-analysis provided moderate-quality evidence supporting cannabinoids for chronic pain, including neuropathic types. URL: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2338251

• A 2017 systematic review concluded cannabis-based medicines are effective for chronic pain management, primarily neuropathic pain. URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28934780/

• A 2021 meta-analysis of antinociceptive effects found cannabinoids effective in reducing neuropathic pain in preclinical and clinical models. URL: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.614198/full

• A 2022 pharmacology-based meta-analysis showed medical cannabinoids have efficacy in neuropathic pain with moderate retention rates. URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8856648/

3. Cannabinoids for Cancer-Related Pain

These studies highlight low to moderate evidence for cannabinoids in palliative settings, with limited pain reduction.

• A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis found low-risk bias studies showing cannabinoids added to opioids do not reduce cancer pain in adults. URL: https://www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m4087

• A 2018 meta-analysis in palliative medicine indicated cannabinoids provide some efficacy for cancer-related pain but with tolerability issues. URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29756599/

• A 2023 review noted low-certainty evidence that CBD oil does not reduce pain intensity in palliative care for cancer patients. URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10124590/

• A 2022 meta-analysis suggested limited benefit from cannabinoids in cancer pelvic pain, with potential improvement over long-term use. URL: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpain.2022.978360/full

4. Terpenes in Pain Management

Evidence here centers on terpenes' analgesic properties, often in cannabis contexts, with reviews supporting anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.

• A 2018 review discussed terpenes in cannabis contributing to pain relief in migraines, headaches, and chronic syndromes via anti-inflammatory mechanisms. URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6130519/

• A 2024 study on the entourage effect explored terpenes' synergistic role in cannabis for therapeutic pain management. URL: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2024.1354416/full

• A 2020 systematic review highlighted formulated terpenes with THC/CBD for anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in pain conditions. URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7409346/

• A 2021 review emphasized terpenes like beta-caryophyllene for pain relief through CB2 receptor activation. URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/13/4102

5. Plant-Based Molecules for Pain Relief

This includes non-cannabis plant-derived compounds, with meta-analyses showing efficacy in conditions like osteoarthritis and back pain.

• A 2019 Cochrane review found herbal products like cayenne (capsaicin) effective for neuropathic pain with moderate evidence. URL: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD010751.pub3/full

• A 2020 meta-analysis indicated Boswellia serrata as a potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic for osteoarthritis pain. URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7368679/

• A 2016 Cochrane review showed devil's claw, white willow bark, and cayenne reduce low back pain more than placebo. URL: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004504.pub4/full

• A 2020 review confirmed high-dose topical capsaicin effective for peripheral neuropathic pain management. URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7392706/

• A 2015 study demonstrated lavender essential oil’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antinociceptive effects for pain. URL: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2015/749354/

6. Opioid-Sparing Effects and Safety of Cannabinoids

High-certainty evidence on reducing opioid use and assessing harms in pain patients.

• A 2022 meta-analysis found cannabinoids have an opioid-sparing effect in preclinical and clinical pain studies. URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8971603/

• A 2022 review reported very low certainty evidence that adverse events are common with medical cannabis in chronic pain. URL: https://www.cmajopen.ca/content/10/3/E674

• A 2023 umbrella review showed cannabinoids improve pain in multiple sclerosis but increase risks like dizziness. URL: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2023.1184535/full

• A 2022 meta-analysis indicated CBD is safe and effective for chronic pain with low adverse effects. URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9344230/